Amaro praises Sandberg; Club now leaning toward 11 pitchers

--Charlie Manuel and Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is now leaning toward taking 11 pitchers. “That’s a good possibility because of the way our bullpen’s been going,” Charlie said.

--The club invited all its coaches back for the 2012 season.

--Ruben praised the job Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg did. “For his sake, I hope he (gets an opportunity to coach or manage in the big leagues. For our sake, I hope he doesn’t,” Ruben said.

--Justin De Fratus, Joe Savery and Dom Brown are headed to the Florida Instructional League in Clearwater after the regular season, and that would keep them ready to go and be added to the postseason roster in case of an injury. Michael Schwimer and Brandon Moss will go home after Wednesday. Ruben said the club is still undecided about Eric Kratz.

--Joe Blanton appears to have worked himself back into the postseason roster mix. “Actually I like kinda where he’s at right now, as far as what he’s been through,” Charlie said. The bullpen appears as though it will include Vance Worley, Michael Stutes, Brad Lidge, Antonio Bastardo, Michael Stutes, Ryan Madson, David Herndon and either Kyle Kendrick or Blanton. Again, I could be wrong on this. Just a guess.

Recent Comments

If good-time Chahlie knew what he was doing, he'd have the following lineup: 1.Rollins, 2.Victorino, 3.Ruiz, 4.Howard, 5. Pence, 6.Ibanez/Mayberry, 7.Utley, 8.Polanco, 9.Pitcher. Ruiz is driving the ball and is hitting like a #3 guy. Utley and Polanco are shot till off-season surgery.

"The bullpen appears as though it will include Vance Worley, Michael Stutes, Brad Lidge, Antonio Bastardo, Michael Stutes, Ryan Madson, David Herndon and either Kyle Kendrick or Blanton. Again, I could be wrong on this. Just a guess."

As good as Mike Stutes has been you have him listed twice as a choice.

I think that two on the bubble are Kendrick and Herndon.

I really doubt Blanton is out because that is a lot of salary to leave off the postseason roster and at the end of the day Herndon is simply a very streaky and inconsistent pitcher.